Vernal Regional Airport (KVEL)
Medium airport · Vernal, Utah, United States
Airport data
| Name | Vernal Regional Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KVEL |
| IATA | VEL |
| Elevation | 5,278 ft (1609 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 40°26'10" W 109°30'42" 40.43621, -109.51166 |
| Location | Vernal, Utah, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/35 | 7,000 ft (2134 m) | 100 ft | ASP | Yes |
Vernal Regional Airport at a glance
Vernal Regional Airport is a medium airport in Vernal, Utah, United States, known to airline systems as VEL. The field elevation of 5,278 ft (1609 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KVEL are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 17/35, offers 7,000 ft (2134 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 17 points roughly 170° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KVEL shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Vernal Regional Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport | KRKS | 134 km (72 NM) |
| Evanston-Uinta County Airport-Burns Field | KEVW | 158 km (85 NM) |
| Grand Junction Regional Airport | KGJT | 168 km (91 NM) |
| Garfield County Regional Airport | KRIL | 183 km (99 NM) |
| Canyonlands Regional Airport | KCNY | 188 km (102 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Vernal Regional Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,278 ft field elevation of Vernal Regional Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Vernal Regional Airport
What is the ICAO code of Vernal Regional Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Vernal Regional Airport is KVEL, and its IATA code is VEL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Vernal Regional Airport above sea level?
Vernal Regional Airport sits at an elevation of 5,278 feet (1609 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Vernal Regional Airport located?
The airport lies at 40.4362, -109.5117 — in Vernal, Utah, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport, about 134 km away.
Does KVEL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KVEL appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Vernal Regional Airport?
Vernal Regional Airport has one runway. The longest, 17/35, measures 7,000 ft (2134 m) with a ASP surface.